Jaehwa Bernardo

An exhibit with artworks depicting 'aspin' dogs is running at SM Megamall from Aug. 18 to 24. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Japanese artist, PAWS team up for dog advocacy art exhibit

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175560620044520250818-aspin-art-exhibit-MQD22888-MD.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>An exhibit with artworks depicting &#x27;aspin&#x27; dogs is running at SM Megamall from Aug. 18 to 24. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>Art can become a medium of giving voice to neglected subjects. Such is the goal of Japanese artist Hiro Ichikawa&#x27;s latest art exhibition, which puts the spotlight on aspins (asong pinoy), a native dog in the Philippines that is often mistreated and abused. Through his artworks, Ichikawa hopes to depict aspins as animals worthy of love.Titled &quot;PAWS X HIRO: Aspins in Full Color,&quot; Ichikawa&#x27;s exhibit — organized in partnership with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) — opened on Monday, August 18, and runs until August 24 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. The opening coincided with National Aspin Day.Ichikawa shared that he first made a dog portrait at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, painting his Miniature Schnauzer named Top. He eventually advanced his art career, which led to his first solo exhibit in the Philippines. Held at Alabang Town Center in February, the show showcased vibrant pop art–style pieces depicting various dog breeds.Regarding his latest project, Ichikawa said advocating for the pride of aspins gives him a sense of happiness.&quot;It gives the dog the bravery and courage to show themselves,&quot; Ichikawa said through an interpreter. &quot;Doing this gives me happiness to help animals for a cause.&quot;The exhibition boosted Ichikawa&#x27;s confidence to hold more charity exhibits, especially for PAWS. The event also gives dog and art enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase or bid on paintings.Notably, this exhibit also marked PAWS&#x27; first time to partner with an artist. Their intent is to continue breaking what they describe as an  unjust stigma against aspins as aggressive, unattractive and unlovable dog breeds.&quot;We have aspins, asong pinoys, and they often overlooked, and madalas iba ang trato sa kanila [compared] sa purebred pets,&quot; PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera told ABS-CBN News.Aspins were previously called &quot;askal,&quot; a portmanteau of the words aso at kalye. This pejorative term neglects the fact that aspins can also be loyal companions.PAWS originated the term “aspin” in 2007 and declared August 18 as the National Aspin Day in 2021.But challenges persist for the local dog breed as many remain unadopted, with pet owners often preferring purebred dogs, said Cabrera.&quot;Rescued dog should be spoiled to a point where they never remember the times that they were not loved, or the times when they were cruelly treated, which maraming mga aspin, when we rescued them, they were cruelly treated,&quot; Cabrera said.Cabrera noted that aspins&#x27; aggressive behavior is often rooted in past abuse and traumas.The Aspin Day celebration was also marked with &quot;Palarong Pang-Aspin,&quot; a Filipino-centered game tailored for aspins to participate and enjoy. It was held last August 17 at Ayala Malls Vertis North in Quezon City as an advanced celebration, bringing together over a hundred aspins with their owners.&quot;As an owner of Aspin, very important siya kasi we feel everyday, for example, we’re going out, or travelling, na meron pa ring stigma towards aspins na parang madumi, or may rabies, or may sakit, ganiyan, which is not the case talaga,&quot; said Queenie Ramos, whose aspin Muffy emerged as the winner of the game.&quot;One thing that I want people to understand is there [is] no less of a dog than others na with &#x27;breed.&#x27; Kasi native dogs like aspin, they&#x27;re such a gift, as well as all the other dogs,&quot; she said.

Through his artworks, Japanese artist Hiro Ichikawa hopes to depict aspins as animals worthy of love.

Through his artworks, Japanese artist Hiro Ichikawa hopes to depict aspins as animals worthy of love.

Japanese artist, PAWS team up for 'aspin' advocacy exhibit

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Japanese artist, PAWS team up for 'aspin' advocacy exhibit

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Jen Esquivel

Published Aug 19, 2025 08:39 PM PHT

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Hiro Ishikawa

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